Mobile device streaming media application

ABSTRACT

A system and process for coordinating streaming content or messages is provided. A network-connected server maintains a database containing media content-related data, such as the text of a message, accompanying media, time of airing, payment and related comments. A user can view these feeds or streams of these consciousness messages by downloading a mobile application or browsing to a website. The application can also be used to create, schedule and pay for a media content message.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/304,331 filed Feb. 12, 2010 entitled Mobile Device PrayerApplication, the contents of which are incorporated in their entiretyherein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Streaming media is multimedia that is constantly received by andpresented to an end-user while being delivered by a streaming provider.The name refers to the delivery method of the medium rather than to themedium itself. The distinction is usually applied to media that aredistributed over telecommunications networks, as most other deliverysystems are either inherently streaming (e.g., radio, television) orinherently non-streaming (e.g., books, video cassettes, audio CDs). Theverb ‘to stream’ is also derived from this term, meaning to delivermedia in this manner. Internet television is a commonly streamed medium.

Live streaming, more specifically, means taking the media andbroadcasting it live over the Internet. The process involves a camerafor the media, an encoder to digitize the content, a media publisherwhere the streams are made available to potential end-users and acontent delivery network to distribute and deliver the content. Themedia can then be viewed by end-users live.

Consciousness is variously defined as subjective experience, awareness,the ability to experience “feeling,” wakefulness, the understanding ofthe concept “self,” or the executive control system of the mind. It isan umbrella term that may refer to a variety of mental phenomena.Although humans realize what everyday experiences are, consciousnessitself resists being defined, philosophers note.

Consciousness is the subject of much research in philosophy of mind,psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science and artificial intelligence.Issues of practical concern include how the presence of consciousnesscan be assessed in severely ill or comatose people; whether non-humanconsciousness exists and if so how it can be measured; at what point infetal development consciousness begins; and whether computers canachieve a conscious state.

Prayer is a form of religious practice that seeks to activate avolitional rapport to a god or spirit through deliberate practice.Prayer may be either individual or communal and take place in public orin private.

It may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayermay take the form of a hymn, incantation, formal creedal statement, or aspontaneous utterance in the praying person. There are different formsof prayer such as petitionary prayers, prayers of supplication,thanksgiving, and worship/praise.

Prayer may be directed towards a deity, spirit, deceased person, orlofty idea, for the purpose of worshipping, requesting guidance,requesting assistance, confessing sins or to express one's thoughts andemotions. Thus, people pray for many reasons such as personal benefit orfor the sake of others.

Most major religions involve prayer in one way or another. Someritualize the act of prayer, requiring a strict sequence of actions orplacing a restriction on who is permitted to pray, while others teachthat prayer may be practiced spontaneously by anyone at any time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment according to the present invention, a system andprocess for coordinating a programmed media stream is provided.Preferably, this content relates to consciousness messages such asprayers, requests for charity, thoughts or similar messages. However,this content can also relate to breaking news, music videos, comedy orsimilar content. A network-connected server maintains a databasecontaining media content-related data, such as the text of a message,accompanying media, time of airing, payment and related comments. A usercan view these feeds or streams of these streams by downloading a mobileapplication or browsing to a website. The application or website canalso be used to create, schedule and pay for media content airtime for amessage or program.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, features and advantages of which embodiments ofthe invention are capable of will be apparent and elucidated from thefollowing description of embodiments of the present invention, referencebeing made to the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 illustrates a media content coordination system according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a current media content interface according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an about us interface according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an airtime purchase interface according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an airtime date selection interface according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an advanced airtime date selection interfaceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a media content preview interface according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a payment interface according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a confirmation interface according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a process of coordinating media content timesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a media content airstream interface according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a media content sponsorship interface according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates a process of viewing and interacting with a currentmessage according to an embodiment of the present invention; and,

FIG. 14 illustrates an interface for in app purchases of items accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and willfully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Theterminology used in the detailed description of the embodimentsillustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limitingof the invention. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

The terms message, media message or program are used interchangeably inthis specification and generally refer to text, audio, video or stillimages sent across the internet. In one aspect of the present invention,the system can be used for any media content type, such as news, comedy,drama, environmental messages, offers to purchase related items, andsimilar messages. In another aspect of the present invention, the systemis used for consciousness messages, such as prayers, collectivethoughts, appeals to charity and inspirational messages.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example media coordination system 100 according tothe present invention which allows network connected devices, such asmobile devices 106 (cell phones, portable music players, tables,laptops, etc.), to coordinate times for specific media messages/programsto be streamed to other application users (e.g., a feed of message postsor a stream of real-time media data). Generally, a computer server 102(e.g., a processor, RAM, a hard drive, an operating system, web servingsoftware and database software) is connected to a wide area network 104such as the internet or wireless cell phone data network. Mobile devices106 are also connected to the network 104, allowing for communication toand from the server 102.

As seen in item 220 of the flow chart of FIG. 13, a user either executesthe mobile media application on their mobile device or uses a browser tobrowse to an internet page supplied by the server 102. The applicationdownloads the current media message/program (i.e., a thought or prayervideo scheduled for airing at that time) from the server. Alternately,the server 102 may automatically push the current media message or linkto the current media message via phone notifications, email or textmessages.

In one example, delivery of the current media message to the mobiledevice 106 is performed as a feed that is downloaded as requested by theuser. In another example, delivery of the current media message isachieved with a live streaming media file (e.g., streaming audio/video)that provides images, text and/or audio to the user's mobile device. Inthis respect, the media message stream is similar to a live televisionstation having scheduled media messages as its programming.

In item 222, the mobile application displays the media message datasupplied by the server 102. This data may include the text of a mediamessage, an attached or linked-to media file, donation information andmedia message expiration information (i.e., when the current mediamessage expires causing the mobile application to download a new currentmedia message). Alternately, the media message data may be a live mediastream, previously rendered by the server 102, which displays theimages, text, audio, video or other items in a common media format(e.g., h.264 mp4 video format). In one preferred embodiment, the mediamessage is a prayer, collective consciousness message, request forcharity, environmental or similar message.

In item 224, the user views the media message data in an interface ofthe mobile application and interacts with the interface. For example,the user may add a comment about the media message, a donation, agreeting card or share a link to the media message via a social network,email, text message or similar communication. The user may also makepurchases within the application (e.g., in app purchases, credit cards,Pay Pal, etc.) to buy gift certificates for message air time, greetingcards, or similar in application items.

In item 226, the user can design, upload and pay for a custom mediamessage that is stored and aired from the server 102. The server willsimilarly air the custom media message at the specified time as thecurrent media message, thereby distributing that media message out toother users of the mobile application and website.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow chart of an example process for coordinatingmedia messages. As seen in item 190, the mobile application is executedon the mobile device 106 that can download available times that a mediamessage can be scheduled. A user can request availability of a specifictime or the mobile application can download a variety of free times.

In item 192, the user selects a time that they would like to have theirmedia message available, the text of their media message, any images orvideos that they would like to accompany the media message, and paymentinformation. This data is uploaded to server 102 and stored in adatabase in item 194.

As seen in item 196, the sever 102 provides media message data accordingto the scheduled time. This data can be rendered and streamed as a livestreaming format, made available for download to each mobile device 106running the application or can be sent out via a push notification,email or text message. Optionally, the push notification, email or textmessage can include a link that opens the mobile media messageapplication to that specific media message or to a webpage displayingthat media message.

The current media message can also be displayed on any participatingwebsites. For example, an otherwise nonaffiliated website could includecode that displays the current media message. In another example, themedia message can be posted to a social media site, such as Facebook orTwitter, which allows users to subscribe. In this respect, peoplevisiting websites otherwise unrelated to the server 102 can also viewthe current media message.

FIGS. 2-9 illustrate various example aspects and interfaces of themobile media message application according to the present invention.FIG. 2 illustrates the current media message interface 110 that displaysthe media message currently scheduled by the server 102. The currentmedia message interface 110 preferably includes a media message textdisplay 114 that displays the text of the media message specified byperson who created the current media message.

Optionally, the current media message interface includes anadvertisement banner 112 for displaying advertisements from a downloadedsource, such as from Google AdSense or Apple in app advertising.Optionally, the mobile media message application can allow a user theoption to include this banner 112 during the media message creationprocess to financially subsidize the price of posting the media message.

The interface 110 also includes a comments button 111 that displays acomment interface for leaving messages related to the current mediamessage. A past media messages button 113 is also include for displayinga list of past media messages or bookmarked media messages.

Preferably, multiple feeds or streams are available to the mobileapplication. For example, some streams can be specific breaking news,religion, music, or pets. Selecting the switch stream button 115 allowsthe user to switch between these streams.

The donate button 117 allows the user to donate money to originator ofthe media message, thereby allowing users or entities to raise money inaddition to soliciting media messages. The buy gift button 119 allowsthe user to buy items for the author of the current message or anotheruser. Gifts can include virtual greeting cards, gift certificates,message air time, and similar items. The buy air time button 120displays an interface for creating and purchasing a media message thatwill be displayed on the application and the learn more button 118displays an about us interface 122 seen in FIG. 3.

The about us interface 122 preferably includes information about thedeveloper and information 124 about how to pray. A share button 128allows the user to share specific media message tips with others (e.g.,by emailing text of the media message information 124). The go backbutton 126 returns the user to the previous screen.

If the user selects the buy airtime button 120 in interface 110, the buyairtime interface 130 is displayed, as seen in FIG. 4. Title input 132allows a user to enter a text title for their media message, while textof the media message can be entered in message input 134. Optionally,the user can attach or add a link to an image, audio and/or video in themedia input 136. This media is uploaded to the server 102 and renderedin to the stream for broadcast at the scheduled time. The next button138 displays the airtime selection interface 140 as seen in FIG. 5.

The airtime selection interface 140 preferably provides a plurality ofselectable time ranges 142 (e.g., check boxes) and their accompanyingcost. A minute input 144 allows the user to specify the amount of timethe user would like their media message to be displayed as the currentmedia message. Selecting the advanced button 148 displays the advancedairtime interface 150 seen in FIG. 6.

The advanced airtime interface 150 allows the user more control overexactly when the media message will be shown as the current mediamessage. For example, a date interface 152 allows the user to specify aspecific day to air the media message, the time interface 154 providesmore detailed time ranges, and the time interface allows input of theamount of time the media message will air as the current media message.Selecting the basic button 159 returns the user to the airtime selectioninterface 140 while selecting the find time button 158 attempts to findan unreserved free time for the media message.

Once the server 102 has found a free time according to the criteriaselected by the user, the preview interface 160 is displayed, as seen inFIG. 7. The proposed message date 162 is located at the top of theinterface 160, followed by the preview of the media message 164. Theuser can select the go back button 166 to return to a previous interfaceto correct information or can select the checkout button 168 to displaythe payment interface 170, seen in FIG. 8.

The payment interface 170 allows the user to select their desired methodof payment. This interface can be used for buying air time on a streamor for any other activity that may require payment (e.g., purchasinggift certificates or greeting cards).

For example, the user can select the in app payment button 172 to causepayment through an “in app” payment system, such as Apple's in apppayment system. The user may also enter their credit card information inthe credit card input 174 or can select the Paypal button 176 to bringup Paypal login credentials for payment via Paypal. Preferably, theinterface 170 includes a plurality of charity inputs 178 (e.g.,checkboxes) for specifying donations to specific charities. The user canreturn to previous interfaces via the go back button 177 or can submitthe payment information via the purchase button 179.

Once the payment information has been submitted and confirmed by theserver 102, the confirmation interface 180 is displayed, as seen in FIG.9. A confirmation message 182 is displayed at the top of the interface180 to confirm the exact time the media message will be available.Additionally, a plurality of media message sharing buttons 184 aredisplayed to allow the user to easily share details (e.g., date, time,hypertext link) to the media message on various calendar, email, textmessage or social media websites.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate media message interface 200 accordingto the present invention. The interface 200 allows a user ororganization to post a media message, media (music, video, image, etc.)and/or request for donations, seen in the media message display 204.This airstream media message can be purchased through an interfacesimilar to those previously described in this specification. Optionally,an advertiser may sponsor such a stream and post their ad banner in thebanner display 202.

The interface 200 also displays live or regularly updated comments andmedia messages from users in the live stream display 206. If a userwishes to comment, add a greeting card (or similar link) or add amessage, the add message button 208 can be selected, prompting the userfor a text comments and an optional donation amount. Alternately, theuser can select the donate button 210 to donate money without adding acomment (e.g., utilizing the payment interface 170). These comments anddonation amounts are transmitted to the server 102, processed, and thendisplayed in the live stream display 206 for all users to view.

FIG. 12 illustrates a sponsor interface 210 that allows an advertiser oruser to sponsor a specific current media message or airstream mediamessage. A media message selection input 212 downloads and displays fromthe server 102 a list of media messages and sponsor prices that areavailable for sponsorship. A specific media message can be selected andthe sponsor's ad banner can be uploaded to the server 102 by clickingthe add banner button 214. Once the user is satisfied by theirselection, the check out button 168 can be used to pay.

FIG. 13 illustrates an item purchase interface 230 that allows the userto make in app purchases of items via the item selection interface 232.This allows the user to select a desired item (real or virtual) forpurchase, then select the check out button 168, which leads to thepreviously described payment interface 170.

In one specific example, the present invention can be particularly usedto facilitate prayer or collective consciousness. For example, users canpurchase air time to display a prayer or collective thought. In anotherexample, a request for donations (e.g., from a person or charity) can beuploaded to the stream to allow users to donate money within the mobileapplication.

In another specific example, the present invention can be used topurchase airtime and upload ongoing news or informational video. In thisrespect, a stream may be directed to eye witness news or similarbreaking new.

In another specific example, a stream can be directed to music videos.Hence, a user can purchase airtime and upload their own music videosthat will stream at a specific time and date.

In another example, a stream can be directed to short films. Users canproduce their own films, purchase airtime, and then upload the films toair on the channel at a specific time.

In another example according to the present invention, the server canprovide a user or company with their own media stream to control. Inthis respect, the other users can post messages on this third partycontrolled stream, allowing the stream creator to designate airtimeprice, which uploads are approved and additional items for purchase.

Although the invention has been described in terms of particularembodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in lightof this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modificationswithout departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of theclaimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawingsand descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitatecomprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit thescope thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of coordinating video messages to mobiledevices comprising: providing, to a plurality of users, a mobileapplication for both viewing and creating video messages wherein themobile application allows input of both text and audio to besimultaneously rendered in the video messages; uploading a plurality ofvideo messages from the plurality of users wherein each video message inthe plurality of video messages has text and audio to be simultaneouslyrendered in the video message; storing the plurality of video messagesin a database readable by a server; sending to the mobile applicationthe plurality of video messages and causing the text and the audio to besimultaneously rendered with each video message; receiving a requestfrom the mobile application to live stream a live video message; andstreaming the live video message to the mobile application whereby themobile application allows the plurality of users to be aware of the livevideo message.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaininga database containing related comments for the plurality of videomessages.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising causing a textualmessage associated with the live video message to be displayedsimultaneously with the playing of the live video message.
 4. The methodof claim 3, wherein the textual message is from a first user and isintended for an author of the live video message.
 5. The method of claim4, wherein the mobile application includes an interface with a buy giftbutton which allows the first user to buy items for the author of thelive video message or another user.
 6. The method of claim 5, whereinthe items are virtual items.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising pushing the plurality of video messages to the plurality ofusers.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising receiving a requestfrom a first user for a particular video message in the plurality ofvideo messages and causing that particular video message to be displayedon the mobile application of the first user.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the mobile application includes a button that allows any user inthe plurality of users to comment on each video message in the pluralityof video messages or share a link to each video message in the pluralityof video messages.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprisingdisplaying live messages from the plurality of users in conjunction withthe live video message.
 11. A method of coordinating video messages tomobile devices comprising: providing, to a plurality of users, a mobileapplication for both viewing and creating video messages wherein themobile application allows input of both text and audio to besimultaneously rendered in the video messages; uploading a plurality ofvideo messages from the plurality of users wherein each video message inthe plurality of video messages has text and audio to be simultaneouslyrendered in the video message; storing the plurality of video messagesin a database readable by a server; sending to the mobile applicationthe plurality of video messages and causing the text and the audio to besimultaneously rendered with each video message; receiving a requestfrom the mobile application to live stream a live video message;streaming the live video message to the mobile application whereby themobile application allows the plurality of users to be aware of the livevideo message; and displaying live messages from the plurality of usersin conjunction with the live video message.
 12. The method of claim 11,further comprising maintaining a database containing related commentsfor the plurality of video messages.
 13. The method of claim 11, whereinthe mobile application includes an interface with a buy gift buttonwhich allows a first user to buy items for an author of the live videomessage or another user.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the itemsare virtual items.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprisingpushing the plurality of video messages to the plurality of users. 16.The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving a request from afirst user for a particular video message in the plurality of videomessages and causing that particular video message to be displayed onthe mobile application of the first user.
 17. The method of claim 11,wherein the mobile application includes a button that allows any user inthe plurality of users to comment on each video message in the pluralityof video messages or share a link to each video message in the pluralityof video messages.
 18. A method of coordinating video messages to mobiledevices comprising: providing, to a plurality of users, a mobileapplication for both viewing and creating video messages wherein themobile application allows input of both text and audio to besimultaneously rendered in the video messages; uploading a plurality ofvideo messages from the plurality of users wherein each video message inthe plurality of video messages has text and audio to be simultaneouslyrendered in the video message; storing the plurality of video messagesin a database readable by a server; sending to the mobile applicationthe plurality of video messages and causing the text and the audio to besimultaneously rendered with each video message; receiving a requestfrom the mobile application to live stream a live video message;streaming the live video message to the mobile application whereby themobile application allows the plurality of users to be aware of the livevideo message; and displaying live messages from the plurality of usersin conjunction with the live video message; wherein the mobileapplication includes an interface with a buy gift button which allows afirst user to buy items for an author of the live video message oranother user.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the items are virtualitems.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising pushing theplurality of video messages to the plurality of users.